Fatah Threatens Retribution Following Shechem Battle

IDF forces killed six terrorists in Shechem (Nablus) this afternoon. Two soldiers were wounded in the battle.

By Hillel Fendel

First Publish: 2/23/2006, 1:20 PM / Last Update: 2/23/2006, 3:53 PM

The battle began around noon when a paratroopers' unit entered the city, making its way towards a building in which wanted terrorists were suspected of hiding out. The Israelis were attacked with gunfire and grenades, and two soldiers were hurt. Storming the building, the forces returned fire and killed six terrorists.

One of the wounded soldiers was originally in light-to-moderate condition, but his condition was later reported as moderate-to-serious. He was flown by helicopter to Tel HaShomer Hospital in Tel Aviv.

At least three of the killed were of Fatah's Al-Aksa Brigades. Fatah is often considered "moderate" in comparison with Hamas, but an Al-Aksa spokesman in Shechem responded to today's battle as follows: "Israel has opened up on itself the gates of Hell. Our response will be painful and quick, and there is no longer any point in talking about a period of calm. We are not obligated by the statements of others."